Helping Parents in Prison Connect with their Children

Oklahoma has the highest incarceration rate for women in the United States. Of women in Oklahoma prisons, 85% are mothers or grandmothers. Oklahoma has the 4th highest incarceration rate for men in the United States, and many of these guys are dads also. 28,000 children in Oklahoma don’t have one of their parents at home now because of incarceration. If there is not intervention in the lives of these children by the time they enter sixth grade, studies show 70% of children of incarcerated parents will eventually go to prison themselves. This is a tragic cycle and one we must work together on multiple fronts to end.

Redeeming the Family is an Oklahoma non-profit modeled after “The Messages Project” started by Carolyn LeCroy. Both are prison outreach projects which help parents in prison record video messages that are sent home to their children. Redeeming the Family executive director, Cheri Fuller, has worked with moms in Oklahoma prisons who have not seen their children for four, ten, and even fifteen years. The following six minute video provides an overview of this outreach compelling ministry.